Is the Diabetic Bladder a Neurogenic Bladder? Evidence from the Literature.

Diabetes can often cause LUTS. This has been called diabetic cystopathy by many authors, but no concise grouping of symptoms for this condition has been agreed upon. The etiology of diabetic cystopathy remains unknown, but evidence from the literature strongly suggests a neurologic etiology as the primary factor, with other factors such as polyuria, damage to muscle from oxidative stress, and urothelial factors possibly contributing. Once a standard definition for diabetic cystopathy can be agreed upon, prospective, longitudinal studies will play a key role in the generation of hypotheses for the causes of diabetic cystopathy. Animal models will help test these hypotheses and possibly provide strategies for prevention.